A 39-year-old Santa Clara County resident recently died from the flu, making them the first person under the age of 65 to die from flu-related complications this season, according to officials from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.

Director of the Public Health Department Dr. Sara Cody said that the patient had underlying health issues that put them at an increased risk of complications from the flu. It is unclear whether the patient was vaccinated.

It is well known that individuals with chronic medical conditions are at a higher risk of getting the flu. But, this case “is a reminder that the flu can affect anyone,” said Deputy Health Officer Dr. George Han.

A total of four other cases of severe flu in people under the age of 65 have been reported in the Santa Clara County Public Health Department so far during the 2018-2019 flu season.

During this time of the year, there is typically a slow increase in the number of patients coming into hospitals with flu-like illnesses. As the season continues, Han expects the number of flu patients to rise.

During the 2017-2018 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there were 80,000 flu-related deaths, and 80 percent of these people were unvaccinated.

“The fact that most people who die from the flu weren’t vaccinated is the reason why the vaccine is so important,” said Han. “You are at less risk of getting a more severe flu, or getting the flu at all, if you are vaccinated.”

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